Re: Switching to Reserve

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Maxdar

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Re: Switching to Reserve

I have a 2007 Vstar 650, no fuel gauge. When I ride close to empty the bike starts to sputter and loss power. Lack of fuel obviously.

What is the best/proper method to switch to reserve?

  1. Stop the bike, then switch while running?
  2. Stop the bike, turn off and then switch?
  3. Reach down and turn switch while navigating through down town traffic? (optionally trying to check oil window, while ur down there)
  4. Doesn't really matter, same tank, different hose.

Reason I ask, last time I switch the sputtering did not really stop. Even after I filled up. Sat over night, warmed it up next day and it's been fine since. As long as the fuel level is up, I get no issues. (does sputter if cold and I start riding too soon)

About to take a 6hr ride to Blind River this weekend, solo and I want to avoid sputtering along half way up.
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

Most riders will just reach down and switch it to reserve while riding. I've actually only used my reserve a couple times though, so I'm no expert. Maybe your reserve line isn't feeding well? Could be gunked up, maybe you drew a bunch of crap from the bottom of the tank through it when you used it
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

You should be able to safely switch to reserve while riding. Practice it if you are not comfortable.
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

Just practice while parked, then with no traffic around until muscle memory takes over. Switching to reserve while riding should require as little attention as changing gears.
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

Will try switching with full tank and see if it sputters.

Thanks,


tricky said:
Most riders will just reach down and switch it to reserve while riding. I've actually only used my reserve a couple times though, so I'm no expert. Maybe your reserve line isn't feeding well? Could be gunked up, maybe you drew a bunch of crap from the bottom of the tank through it when you used it
Click to expand...
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

Best practise is to know how many km's you can run a tank before hitting reserve and always fill up before you get to reserve and then you won't run in to that situation.
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

Just out of curiousity, does everyone else's petcock go from On -> Off -> Reserve? I.e. you have to go through Off to get to Reserve?
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

kekekekyle said:
Just out of curiousity, does everyone else's petcock go from On -> Off -> Reserve? I.e. you have to go through Off to get to Reserve?
Click to expand...
My old bike had a "Prime" setting instead of the "Off".

The prime might have fixed the sputtering for the OP.
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

if all is correct.. you should be able to just turn the valve to the reserve position... but I have encountered a couple interesting situations... one was the result of a fractured "on" tube ,, and was actually drawing from the reserve fuel ... so when the engine stumbled.. it was effectively almost out of fuel.. switching to the reserve didn't help, you had to add gas to fix the problem! I didn't find this out the first few times as I was near fuel when it stumbled.. and was able to make it to the station.
Maxdar said:
I have a 2007 Vstar 650, no fuel gauge. When I ride close to empty the bike starts to sputter and loss power.
Reason I ask, last time I switch the sputtering did not really stop. Even after I filled up. As long as the fuel level is up, I get no issues. (does sputter if cold and I start riding too soon)
Click to expand...

also,, does your bike have a choke...? It is important to set correctly to ensure the engine won't stumble ..
what does your manual say about the reserve valve? the choke?
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

also,, does your bike have a choke...? It is important to set correctly to ensure the engine won't stumble ..
what does your manual say about the reserve valve? the choke?[/QUOTE]


My bike has a choke - Honda rebel, if I don't let the bike warm up - it sputters. Actually I find it takes awhile to warm up. I've never switched to reserve. I just set the trip meter and keep an eye one it. Fill up when b4 I hit the mark.
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

some factors will change the "milage" you get on a tank.. like how much it takes to warm it up.. and how long you run with the choke on before you remember to turn it off.. or... if the kids can siphon some out for their pit bike lol ... or.. in my case.. if I ride behind my wife... I get about 5 L / 100km , If I ride alone.. I get about 10L/100km,, and the tank evaporates much quicker! lol this ride doesn't have a reserve valve, and the gauge is terribly inaccurate! I sort of wish I had a reserve .. a couple times already! lol
 
Re: Switching to Reserve

I have a KLX250S with a 7.7L tank. I also commute from Barrie to Vaughan so I get to use my reserve all the time. \the bike will start to stutter and I flip over to reserve while still riding, If I recognize it right away it will continue along just fine, if it really starts to suck air and really stutter it will stumble for a second or 2 after flipping to reserve before "roaring back to life"
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